ACCESS CALIFORNIA IS A POLICY ADVOCACY PROGRAM. WE DO NOT PROVIDE DIRECT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. IF YOU NEED SERVICES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNTY'S MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT USING OUR LOCAL ADVOCACY DIRECTORY. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, PLEASE CALL or text 988, 1-800-273-8255 OR CALL 911.
ACCESS CALIFORNIA DOES NOT PROVIDE DIRECT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
What We Do
Making the MHSA's vision for meaningful stakeholder involvement a reality
STATEWIDE ADVOCACY
ACCESS implements statewide advocacy strategies to elevate the voices, identify the needs, and increase genuine public participation of client stakeholders to drive truly transformative change in California’s Public Mental Health System. We attend state-level mental health meetings, monitor proposed legislation, and actively solicit stakeholder feedback on important policy matters affecting public mental health clients throughout California. Our legislative priorities seek ways to expand the reach of the MHSA.
RESEARCH
ACCESS conducts ongoing research in mental health practices and policy matters to promote client-driven and recovery-oriented services in California's Public Mental Health System. ACCESS performs data collection activities throughout the year to assess counties' ability to effectively implement MHSA requirements and identify gaps in knowledge where our expertise can support local agencies seeking to improve services and supports for clients in their communities. Take a moment to share
your voice with us.
PUBLIC POLICY
Through our ongoing research and data collection activities, ACCESS measures the facts on the ground as they relate to stakeholder participation, recovery-oriented services, and inclusion of peer support positions in local mental health systems. ACCESS uses this data to craft recommendations and policy priorities to improve outcomes for clients and communities.
EDUCATION
ACCESS provides comprehensive training and technical assistance to counties, state agencies, clients, and communities to improve understanding of the MHSA and promote meaningful stakeholder involvement in state and local mental health policy and program planning. We offer in-person trainings, on-call technical assistance and coaching, educational webinars, e-learning modules, and other resources and supports to enhance understanding of the MHSA and support the implementation of effective community-identified strategies.
ENGAGEMENT
ACCESS conducts a variety of activities to engage with clients and community members to ensure their voices are heard on matters affecting them. We hold two community outreach events in each of the five MHSA regions every year, and utilize social media platforms and communication tools to keep our constituents informed about what we are working on and ways to get involved in upcoming activities. We publish monthly email blasts and attend community events to share who we are and what we do.